The influence of spaying and its timing relative to the onset of puberty on urinary and general behaviour in Labrador Retrievers

Benefits and risks of spaying on the behaviour of female dogs are controversially discussed. Increased aggressiveness and male urinary behaviour were postulated to be the consequence of masculinization after spaying in some female dogs. To investigate if spaying or its timing relative to the onset of puberty may have a masculinization effect, urinary behaviour, that is, frequency of urination, urinary posture and ground scratching after urination were recorded in 58 female Labrador Retrievers during 15 min of a daily walk with their owners. General behaviour of the dogs during the walks was assessed using an owner questionnaire. Data were analysed for age, reproductive status, lifetime of ovary exposure and/or time interval since spaying. Urinary behaviour of intact females (n = 12) and dogs spayed before (n = 17) or after (n = 29) puberty was similar and not influenced by age, lifetime of ovary exposure and/or time interval since spaying. Owners of spayed dogs described more frequent or more intense fear reaction in their animals in response to loud noises, unfamiliar objects approaching on or near the sidewalk, or if they were approached by unknown dogs barking, growling or jumping. In conclusion, we found no evidence of a masculinization effect after spaying on urinary behaviour in female Labrador Retrievers. In contrast to popular belief, gonadectomy did not inevitably result in a behaviourally more stable dog. Extrapolation of our findings from female Labrador Retrievers to other breeds should be performed with caution, as the effect of spaying on behaviour may differ among dog breeds.     

Preparation and comparative release characteristics of three anthocyanin encapsulation systems

Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and their major polyphenolic constituents, anthocyanins, have preventive activities inter alia against colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. However, anthocyanins are sensitive to environmental conditions; thus their bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract is an important determinant of their in vivo activity. In the study reported here, the potential benefits of encapsulating an anthocyanin rich bilberry extract (BE) on anthocyanin stability were investigated. Nonencapsulated BE and three different BE loaded microcapsule systems were incubated in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and fed state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF). After exposure to these media, released anthocyanins were identified and quantified by HPLC with UV/Vis detection. Although a rapid release of anthocyanins was observed within the first 20 min, encapsulation of anthocyanins doubled the amount of available anthocyanins after 150 min of incubation. These results illustrate the ability of encapsulation to inhibit early degradation of anthocyanins in the intestinal system.     

Selection of cowpea genotypes based on grain mineral and total protein content

Grain legumes, including cowpea, are the cheapest sources of minerals and protein to enhance human nutrition. Cultivar development and deployment of cowpea with increased grain mineral content and protein composition rely on selection of genetically unique and complementary breeding lines. The objective of this study was to assess the grain minerals and protein composition of diverse cowpea collections of eastern, southern and western Africa to select promising parents to develop a breeding population. Twenty-two genetically diverse cowpea genotypes were field evaluated using a randomised complete block design with three replications in two locations in South Africa. The dried grain mineral contents were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometre, while the protein content was determined by the combustion method. Analyses of variance showed significant (P?<?0.05) effects of genotypes, locations and their interactions. The test genotypes showed considerable variation for the following nine mineral contents: calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) varying from 0.07 to 0.12?mg?kg^?1; 4.46 to 7.81?mg?kg^?1; 0.06 to 0.11?g; 11.82 to 14.45?g; 1.86 to 2.27?g; 9.24 to 13.30?mg?kg^?1; 0.26 to 0.80?g; 4.63 to 5.92?g and 0.03.00 to 0.05?g, respectively. Further, the total protein content varied from 23.16 to 28.13%. Significant correlations were detected among some mineral elements and total protein content, suggesting the possibility of simultaneous selection for these traits. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified four principal components (PCs) contributing to 70.93% of the total explained variation amongst genotypes. Overall the following genotypes with desirable grain mineral and protein attributes were selected: IT90K-59 (Ca), 98K-5301 (Ca and protein), ITOOK-1060 (Cu), ITOOK-1217 and IT845-2246 (Fe), Bensogla (K, Na, and P), TVU11424 and ITOOK-1217 (Mg), CH14 (Mn and Na), TVU12637 (Mn) and Glenda and Vuli (Zn). The selected cowpea genotypes are useful genetic resources for population and cultivar development for grain nutrients composition.     

Physiologische Reaktionen der Fichte (Picea abies) auf komplexen SO2- und Trockenstreß

Physiological reactions of spruce (Picea abies) on complex SO₂- and drought-induced stress. Part 3. Responses of SO₂-stressed spruces to subsequent drought-induced stress. SO₂-stressed spruces under drought-stress showed less reduced water content, less increased osmotical potential and less restricted photosynthesis compared to spruces without preceding SO₂-stress and thus seemed to be in a better physiological situation. Their ability to retain water (in cut-off twigs) as well as their ability to withstand a quick and strong water-loss in the needle-tissue without cell-damage were reduced. Reasons for the temporarily favourable effect of a pre-going SO₂-stress in surviving a drought-stress are discussed.     

Winter litter disturbance facilitates the spread of the nonnative invasive grass Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus

We investigated the impacts of winter litter disturbance on the spread of the nonnative invasive plant Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus through experimental removals. We hypothesized that light penetration through the litter layer facilitates the spread of M. vimineum in forested systems. Our objective, therefore, was to quantify M. vimineum spread following litter removal. Linear spread and cover expansion from established M. vimineum patches was documented for one growing season under intact, undisturbed hardwood canopies within plots receiving one of two treatments. Treatments included litter removal (hereafter “removal”) and no litter removal (hereafter “undisturbed”). After one growing season, plots receiving the removal treatment experienced a spread of M. vimineum 4.5 times greater than plots receiving the undisturbed treatment (P < 0.0001; 1.66, and 0.37 m expansion, respectively). Cover expansion (measured as percent cover in 0.5 m² blocks at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 m from established M. vimineum) averaged 16, 4, 0, and 0%, respectively, for the undisturbed treatment and 87, 64, 31, and 9%, respectively, for the removal treatment. Differences existed in cover expansion between treatments at the 0.5, 1, and 1.5 m distances (P < 0.0001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively). Our results suggest that winter litter removal as a result of harvest activities, floodwater scour, or animal activities can drastically increase M. vimineum spread and may enhance potential ecological impacts of invasions by increasing M. vimineum percent cover. Previous studies have shown that M. vimineum responds to canopy removal with dramatic increases in biomass. This study suggests one mechanism facilitating rapid expansion of M. vimineum following site disturbance, and indicates that M. vimineum can experience rapid growth in response to site disturbance even in the absence of canopy removal.     

Corynebacterium spp. in Dogs and Cats with Otitis Externa and/or Media: A Retrospective Study

The role of Corynebacterium spp. in the pathogenesis of canine and feline otitis externa/media and their appropriate antimicrobial therapy are unclear. The objectives of this study were to (1) better establish the pathogenicity of Corynebacterium spp. in otitis utilizing reported criteria and by assessing clinical response to antibiotic therapy and (2) to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Corynebacterium spp. associated with otitis. The study was retrospective, targeting cultures positive for Corynebacterium spp. Corynebacterium spp. were part of mixed microbial populations in 79/81 cultures. Corynebacterium spp. pathogenicity was highly questionable because of their almost invariable presence with other microbes and the observation that Corynebacterium spp. usually disappear from the ear with resolution of other infections, even when the Corynebacterium spp. are resistant to the prescribed antibiotic(s). However, 2/81 cultures came from two canine ears wherein Corynebacterium spp. may have been pathogenic. Antimicrobial sensitivities for Corynebacterium spp. were available for 54 isolates. Most isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol (53/54), amikacin (50/54), tetracycline (50/54), gentamicin (46/54), and enrofloxacin (32/54). Among those antibiotics available in otic products, gentamicin and enrofloxacin would be rational choices for the empirical, topical therapy of Corynebacterium spp.     

Transient neuromyopathy after bromide intoxication in a dog with idiopathic epilepsy

A seven-year old Australian Shepherd, suffering from idiopathic epilepsy under treatment with phenobarbitone and potassium bromide, was presented with generalised lower motor neuron signs. Electrophysiology and muscle-nerve biopsies revealed a neuromyopathy.The serum bromide concentration was increased more than two-fold above the upper reference value.Clinical signs disappeared after applying diuretics and reducing the potassium bromide dose rate. This is the first case report describing electrophysiological and histopathological findings associated with bromide induced lower motor neuron dysfunction in a dog.     

Evaluation of a minimally invasive non-calibrated pulse contour cardiac output monitor (FloTrac/Vigileo) in anaesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of a new cardiac output monitor (FloTrac/Vigileo), originally designed for humans, in dogs. This pulse contour cardiac output monitoring system cannot be calibrated and measures cardiac output (

t) from a standard arterial catheter.Study designProspective experimental trial.AnimalsEight adult Beagle dogs weighing 13.1 (9.8–17.1) kg [median (range)].MethodsAnaesthesia in the dogs was maintained using isoflurane. A pulmonary artery catheter and a metatarsal arterial catheter (22 gauge) were placed. Cardiac output was measured simultaneously 331 times by thermodilution and FloTrac technique. A broad spectrum of

t measurements was achieved through alterations of isoflurane concentration, administration of propofol boluses and dobutamine infusions. Agreement between the methods was quantified with Bland Altman analysis and disagreement was assessed with linear mixed models.ResultsMedian (10th and 90th percentile) cardiac output as measured with thermodilution was 2.54 (1.47 and 5.15) L minute^?1 and as measured with FloTrac 8.6 (3.9 and 17.3) L minute^?1. FloTrac measurements were consistently higher with a mean bias of 7 L minute^?1 and limits of agreement of ?3.15 to 17.17 L minute^?1. Difference between the methods was most pronounced in high

t measurements. Linear mixed models showed an estimated difference between the two methods of 8.05 (standard error 1.18) L minute^?1 and a significant interaction between mean arterial pressure and method. Standard deviation (4.45 higher) with the FloTrac method compared to thermodilution was increased.ConclusionCompared to thermodilution measurements, the FloTrac system was influenced to a higher degree by arterial blood pressure, resulting in consistent overestimation of cardiac output.Clinical RelevanceThe FloTrac monitor, whose algorithms were developed based on human data, cannot be used as an alternative for thermodilution in dogs.     

Do individual-tree growth models correctly represent height:diameter ratios of Norway spruce and Scots pine?

Height:diameter ratios are an important measure of stand stability. Because of the importance of height:diameter ratios for forest management, individual-tree growth models should correctly depict height:diameter ratios. In particular, (i) height:diameter ratios should not exceed that of very dense stands, (ii) height:diameter ratios should not fall below that of open-grown trees, (iii) height:diameter ratios should decrease with increasing spacing, (iv) height:diameter ratios for suppressed trees should be higher than ratios for dominant trees. We evaluated the prediction of height:diameter ratios by running four commonly used individual-tree growth models in central Europe: BWIN, Moses, Silva and Prognaus. They represent different subtypes of individual-tree growth models, namely models with and without an explicit growth potential and models that are either distance-dependent (spatial) or distance-independent (non-spatial). Note that none of these simulators predict height:diameter ratios directly. We began by building a generic simulator that contained the relevant equations for diameter increment, height increment, and crown size for each of the four simulators. The relevant measures of competition, site characteristics, and stand statistics were also coded. The advantage of this simulator was that it ensured that no additional constraint was being imposed on the growth equations, and that initial conditions were identical. We then simulated growth for a 15- and 30-year period for Austrian permanent research plots in Arnoldstein and in Litschau, which represent stands at different age-classes and densities. We also simulated growth of open-grown trees and compared the results to the literature. We found that the general pattern of height:diameter ratios was correctly predicted by all four individual-tree growth models, with height:diameter ratios above that of open-grown trees and below that of very dense stands. All models showed a decrease of height:diameter ratios with age and an increase with stand density. Also, the height:diameter ratios of dominant trees were always lower than that of mean trees. Although in some cases the observed and predicted height:diameter ratios matched well, there were cases where discrepancies between observed and predicted height:diameter ratios would be unacceptable for practical management predictions.